Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 4 Adds Female Robot, Latino Brothers

Marvel has hinted at the existence of robotic “Life Model Decoys” in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for a while. Between Tony Stark joking that Agent Coulson was an LMD in The Avengers and Patton Oswalt coyly playing the Koening brothers in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (and even suggesting at one point that a deceased brother was “recharging his batteries”), there have been plenty of teases to the fans that LMD technology might eventually show up.

If the latest rumor about the show is true, though, then that wait is just about over. A Life Model Decoy is expected to debut in season 4 of the show, alongside a pair of new characters that may be friends or foes to Coulson and his team.

The news comes from TV Line, and is very emphatic about the fact that LMDs are coming to the show. Apparently, the show is looking to cast a female LMD character named Aida for a recurring role. Aida is said to be attractive and have fluid movements like a standard human, though her speech is a bit formal. Comparisons have been made to the vocal styling of Iron Man‘s Jarvis AI, which suggests formal but not necessarily awkward communication (so it’s unlikely that there will be any Thor-like confusion between characters).

As for the two new characters being added, they are said to be a pair of Latino brothers. One is described as being in a wheelchair, while the other is said to “always be the most dangerous man in the room.” Speculation around the characters suggests that they may be Robbie and Gabe Reyes from Marvel’s All-New Ghost Rider and the Ghost Riders tie-in from Secret Wars. This would fit in well with the recent tease that seemed to suggest that Ghost Rider was coming to the show in season 4, though the use of Robbie Reyes instead of more famous Ghost Riders like Johnny Blaze or Danny Ketch is likely a surprise to fans.

The use of Reyes instead of Blaze or Ketch might be a smart move on Marvel’s part, though. Not only does it mirror Ant-Man in using the most recent character to have the identity when adapting the comic to the screen, but it also keeps the more well-known Ghost Riders available for possible movie appearances or even a Netflix series down the road. Much like how the Inhuman characters on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. could get some of the origin work out of the way if the Inhumans film ever gets back on the Marvel slate, having Robbie Reyes introduce the concept of Ghost Rider on AoS could make it easier to transition the character to another medium with Blaze or Ketch down the road.

Of course, long-time Ghost Rider fans may not be too happy at the idea of seeing a car-driving, evil-soul-possessed version of the character onscreen instead of the classic motorcycle-riding Spirit of Vengeance that they know and love. Reyes’ arc in the comics was pretty solid given how different he was from previous incarnations of the character, though, so it’s worth giving the character the benefit of the doubt. If nothing else, there’s always hope that Blaze will hit the scene later as well.